An Iterative Approach to Unsaturated and Partially Saturated [7]Helicenes.

We report a simple, iterative strategy for the synthesis of [7]helicenes starting from substituted 1,4-xylene building blocks. In the first step, we take advantage of the deprotonatable methyl groups to achieve ethano-bridged dimers. These are oxidatively coupled (without using metal-containing catalysts or light) using a hypervalent iodine reagent. Both steps are repeated to obtain the respective σ/π-helicenes. The degree of saturation can be controlled thermally during the oxidative coupling.

One-Pot Strategy for Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical BOIMPY Fluorophores.

We report the improved direct access to red-emitting BOIMPY fluorophores (λ ≈ 600 nm) via a simple one-pot approach. Our method starts from easily available benzimidazole-2-carboxylic acids and not only greatly improves the overall yields but also saves both costly reagents and time. In addition, the method facilitates the synthesis of novel unsymmetrical BOIMPY motifs. Therefore, these BOIMPY scaffolds derived from the BODIPY core become more accessible for applications as fluorophores at the appealing red edge of the visible spectrum.

Sulfur, mercury, and boron adducts of sydnone imine derived anionic N-heterocyclic carbenes.

The sydnone imines (5-benzoylimino)-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-sydnone imine and molsidomine were deprotonated at C4 to give sydnone imine anions which can be represented as anionic N-heterocyclic carbenes, respectively. Trapping reactions with sulfur gave unstable sydnone imine sulfides which were stabilized by the formation of methyl thioethers, methyl sulfoxides, gold complexes [(PPh3)Au-S-sydnone imine] and a bis(ligand) mercury(ii) complex. The latter possesses a tetrahedral coordination of the mercury central atom to the sulfur atoms with the N6 nitrogen atoms coordinating as neutral ligands. Water converted the molsidomine anion into ethyl(2-morpholino-2-thioxoacetyl)carbamate. Mercury(ii)chloride and triphenylborane were employed to trap the sydnone imine carbenes as mercury complexes as well as BPh3 adducts.

Dipolar Bent and Linear Acetylenes Substituted by Cationic Quinolinium and Anionic Benzoates. Formation of Mesomeric Betaines.

3-Ethynylquinoline was subjected to a Sonogashira-Hagihara reaction with methyl 2-, 3-, and 4-bromobenzoates, respectively, and then N-methylated to give 3-[((methoxycarbonyl)phenyl)ethynyl]-1-methylquinolinium salts (two X-ray analyses). On saponification of the 3- and 4-substituted benzoates, the mesomeric betaines 3- and 4-[(1-methylquinolinium-3-yl)ethynyl]benzoates were formed. By contrast, the 2-benzoate derivative gave either the corresponding (1-oxo-1H-isochromen-3-yl)quinolinium derivative or the mesomeric betaine 2-(1-methylquinolinium-3-yl)-1,3-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-ide depending on the reaction conditions. A DFT calculation predicts a transoid conformation of the acetylene bond in the intermediate 2-[(1-methylquinolinium-3-yl)ethynyl]benzoate which is due to a strong hydrogen bond between the carboxylate group and 2H of the quinolinium ring, in addition to a 1,5-interaction between the carboxylate group and the CC triple bond. The bond angles of the transoid CC triple bond were calculated to be 211.6° and -175.1° in vacuo. The corresponding linear triple bond is 50.4 kJ/mol less stable in vacuo according to the calculation, and the N-heterocyclic carbene quinoline-2-ylidene is not formed as a tautomer.

Sydnone anions and abnormal N-heterocyclic carbenes of O-ethylsydnones. Characterizations, calculations and catalyses.

Deprotonated sydnones, which can be represented as anionic N-heterocyclic carbenes, were prepared as Li adducts and compared with deprotonated O-ethylsydnones (5-ethoxy-1,2,3-oxadiazol-4-ylidenes) which belong to the class of abnormal NHCs. The Pd complexes of the sydnone anions (X-ray analysis) as well as of the O-ethylsydnone carbenes proved to be efficient catalysts in aryl couplings of thiophenes.